Pambadum Shola National Park complete detail – updated

Pambadum SholaNational Park complete detail – updated.Geography of Pambadum Shola National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Pambadum Shola National Park. How to Reach Pambadum Shola National Park. The Park comes under the Anamalai sub-cluster of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is being considered for World Heritage Site status. The rugged terrain of the park is covered with west coast tropical evergreen and southern hilltop tropical vegetation found at higher altitudes. The altitudes range between 1600-2400 m…………….

Total area of the park is about 1.32 Km2. It was declared as a National park in the year of 2003. The major attraction of this park is the presence of Tigers. The park has got its significance in these days when a rapid decrease in the population of Tigers is observed in India.

The wildlife include Elephant, Nilgiri Marten, Leopard, Barking deer, Wild boar, Indian wild dogs, Langurs and the bird species like White-bellied Shortwing, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Blue Rock-thrush, Blue-capped Rock-thrush and Nilgiri flycatcher, and Black and orange Flycatchers are also found. The park is a dwelling place for endangered species like the Nilgiri Marten Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs. There are 22 species of trees, 74 species of herbs, shrubs and 16 spices of climbers found in the park……….

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

Pambadum Shola National Park is a beautiful place, located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of the state of Kerala. It is the smallest National park in the Kerala.

The park is supervised by Kerala Wildlife and Forest department and Munnar Wildlife Division, along with other National Parks and Sanctuary like Erevikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamudi Shola National Park and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary.

Pambadum Shola National Park is a part of Annamalai sub-cluster and has been nominated for World Heritage site status under UNESCO’s world heritage Programme.

The name (Pambadum Shola) of the park means “the forest where the snake dances”, derived from three Tamil words, “paamp”, which means “snake”; “aattam”, means “dance”; and “cholai”, means “forest”.

It was declared as a National park in the year of 2003. Total area of the park is about 1.32 Km2.

Ecotourism facilities like trekking and night camping are allowed in the region. The national park consists of wide range of habitat types.

The Pambadum Shola National park is an ideal habitat for various species of flora and fauna. The national park houses several threatened and endemic species. The park is rich in many herbs having medicinal values.

The wildlife include Elephant, Nilgiri Marten, Leopard, Barking deer, Wild boar, Indian wild dogs, Langurs and the bird species like White-bellied Shortwing, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Blue Rock-thrush, Blue-capped Rock-thrush and Nilgiri flycatcher, and Black and orange Flycatchers are also found.

The park is a dwelling place for endangered species like the Nilgiri Marten Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs. There are 22 species of trees, 74 species of herbs, shrubs and 16 spices of climbers found in the park.

The major attraction of this park is the presence of Tigers. The park has got its significance in these days when a rapid decrease in the population of Tigers is observed in India.

Geography

Pambadum Shola National Park is located in the Idukki district of the state of Kerala. It is the smallest National park in the Kerala. The Park is located in the eastern part of Southern Western Ghats of Kerala on the way to Vattavada.

The Park comes under the Anamalai sub-cluster of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is being considered for World Heritage Site status.

The rugged terrain of the park is covered with west coast tropical evergreen and southern hilltop tropical vegetation found at higher altitudes.

The altitudes range between 1600-2400 m. The forest is seen as a continuous patch from 1600 m up to 2000 m, above which grasslands prevails with small forest patches distributed among them.

The park protects a modest extent of montane evergreen forest that is loosely connected to the wildlife rich Eravikulam National Park.

A variety of Eucalyptus is wide grown in this area and is a threat to the ecology due its dehydrating character. The park soil is rich in humus.

Coordinates – 10°08’38° N and 77°16’01° E

Temperature: Maximum – 30o C

Minimum – 6o C

Dominant flora

The park is covered with West coast tropical evergreen, Southern Hilltop Tropical Vegetation found at higher altitudes, West coastal Semi-green at elevation of 100-150m, Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous comprising 60% of the vegetation, Myristica swamp forest, sub-montane hill valley swamp forest etc. The park is rich in many herbs having medicinal values.

There are 22 species of trees, 74 species of herbs, shrubs and 16 spices of climbers found in the park.

The best time of the year to visit the Pambadum Shola National Park is between the months of November to April.

How to Reach

By Air – Nearest airport is Coimbatore airport, about 160 Km from the Pambadum Shola National Park. The other nearest airport is Kochi International Airport which is located about 170 km from the park. These airport are well connected by road to Pambadum Shola National Park.

By Rail – Nearest railway station is Udumalpet railway station, about 110 Km from the Pambadum Shola National Park. The other nearest railway station is Aluva Railway Station which is located about 160 km from the park. These railway stations are well connected by road to Pambadum Shola National Park.

By Road – Pambadum Shola National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Pambadum Shola National Park at frequent intervals.

Accommodation

There are no accommodation options in the park but one can find log houses at Kuttikadu and Nedavarpu. There are many budget, mid-range, luxury hotels and resorts in Munnar, which is located 35 km from the park. There are no places to eat in the park.